1989 Nissan Pathfinder
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Nissan Pathfinder is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1989 Nissan Pathfinder at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1989 Nissan Pathfinder recalls 2
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SU…
INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
Fix: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1989 Nissan Pathfinder common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1989 Nissan Pathfinder MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1989 Nissan Pathfinder costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA95007 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 12
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 12.
NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB
Bulletin NTB-09-101 · Tires · Sep 2010NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN IN…
Bulletin NTB-09-129 · Equipment · Sep 2010NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
Bulletin NTB-09-030 · Electrical System · Apr 2009FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT
Bulletin 99022 · Seat Belts · Oct 2005FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT
Bulletin NTB99022C · Seat Belts · Aug 2003SUBJECT REGARDING ESSENTIAL TOOL - REAR AXLE BEARING REMOVAL KIT. *TTTHE KIT IS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL AND AND WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SENT TO ALL NISSAN DEALERS.
Bulletin NTB01031 · Jun 2001SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT
Bulletin NTB99022B · Seat Belts · May 2001CONCERNS WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE STOPPER BUTTON MISSING. *TT
Bulletin NTB99022A · Seat Belts · Aug 1999EXHIBITING A WHINE NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN ALL FORWARD GEARS EXCEPT 4TH. *YC
Bulletin NTB97002 · Power Train · Jun 1998FS5R30A TRANSMISSION WHINE. *JD
Bulletin NTB97009 · Power Train · Mar 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PATHFINDER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS N…
Transport Canada #1995084 · May 1995Suspension
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 120 - TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT LABELLING.
Transport Canada #1990113 · Jul 1990Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is a range of sport utility vehicles manufactured by Nissan since 1985. Until the third-generation model, the Pathfinder is based on Nissan's compact pickup truck platform which it shares with the Navara/Frontier.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.